Table 1 List of structural brain alternations associated with MDD with the respective outcomes, related conditions, and frequency.

From: The rise and fall of MRI studies in major depressive disorder

Brain Region

Alteration

Outcome

Related conditions

Frequency

References

Whole-brain

Increased CSF volume; decreased gray matter volume

Cognitive impairments

SCZ

Uncommon

4,93

Ventricles

Enlarged lateral ventricles

Communication hindrances

AD, PD, SCZ

Common

4,17

Frontal Lobe

Reduced overall gray matter volumes; reduced orbitofrontal cortex and gyrus rectus volumes

Impaired executive functions

ADHD; BPD; CP; MDD; SCZ

Very common

8,9

Temporal Lobe

Reduced volumes of the hippocampus, right precentral gyrus, left temporal gyrus, right postcentral gyrus, left paracentral gyrus, and left posterior cingulate

Abnormal emotional responses and sensory input dysfunction

ADHD; ASD; DM; SCZ

Very Common

4,11,13,94

Pariteal lobe

Reduced gray matter volume; cortex thickening,

Decline of visual and spatial interactions

ASD; SCZ

Common

14,15,95

Occipital Lobe

Reduced gray matter volume; occipital bending; reduced pericalcarine cortex volume

Impaired processing, integration, and interpretation of vision and visual stimuli

GAD; SCZ

Uncommon

17,24

Cerebellum

Reduced volumes of the putamen, caudate, insula, and basal ganglia

Problems with balance, coordination, and fine muscle control

ASD; ADHD; SCZ

Common

19,24,96

  1. AD Alzheimer’s disease, ADHD attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, ASD autism spectrum disorder, BPD bipolar disorder, CP chronic pain, DM dementia, GAD generalized anxiety disorder, MDD major depressive disorder, SCZ schizophrenia